THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, June 8, 1995 TAG: 9506080421
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KERRY DOUGHERTY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium: 95 lines
A lone cameraman and television reporter loitered on the scorched pavement outside the ultra-modern University of Virginia Medical Center on Wednesday. Somewhere inside, actor Christopher Reeve was recovering from surgery on his broken neck.
``It's been a circus,'' muttered WVIR-29's Scott Gibson, aiming his camera at the hospital sign for another static ``environmental shot.''
``There were so many reporters and cameras they wouldn't even let us in the lobby earlier this week. There were rumors some of the British tabloid guys who were here had stolen some hospital scrubs and were sneaking around inside.''
Reeve, 42, arrived at the hospital by helicopter on May 27, hours after he was thrown from a horse at a Culpeper horse show. He fractured the first two vertebrae in his neck, and the resulting injury to his spinal cord threatens to leave him quadriplegic.
Doctors operated on his neck Monday.
Since the actor's arrival at the hospital, security has been increased. Employees and volunteers are working overtime to cope with press inquiries and frantic fans.
Gibson and reporter Kim Vaughan were maintaining a lonely vigil on the scene this muggy afternoon, however, delivering the day's Reeve update to Charlottesville viewers. There was good news for a change - doctors said Reeve was sitting up, eating solid food and regaining some movement in his right shoulder muscle.
More than 145 news organizations from around the globe have contacted the hospital's news office about Reeve. Reporters from as far away as South Africa and Australia were in town Monday. Last weekend CNN broadcast a bilingual Reeve special from Charlottesville to all of South America.
``We're stunned by all of this,'' said hospital spokeswoman Marguerite K. Beck. ``We knew when Christopher Reeve arrived that there would be a lot of interest, but we never anticipated this.''
Concern about Reeve, who portrayed Superman in the late 1970s and early 1980s, extends beyond the media. Since the accident, cards and packages have been swamping the hospital volunteers who deliver them: 1,700 pieces of mail and 100 floral arrangements at last count.
Outside the medical center, James Turner of Edgemont bounced his 3-month old son, Sean, and gestured toward the wing of the building where Reeve was resting.
``I hope God gives him the strength to pull through,'' he whispered.
John Huffman from Afton, on his way into the medical center for an appointment with his cardiologist, paused to ponder the fate of the actor.
``It's just a shame what happened to him,'' he said, noting that he and his wife, Joyce, had been fretting about Reeve during their drive to Charlottesville. ``One minute to be fine, the next minute on a respirator.
``That's life though, isn't it?'' he asked, shaking his head.
After meeting a friend for lunch at the medical center, receptionist Wendy Ingalls stood silently staring at the building.
``I'm hoping somehow, some way, he recovers,'' Ingalls said, her voice filled with emotion. ``I'm really sad about this. It's a terrible thing to be paralyzed.''
Gone are the hordes of media who stormed the hospital Monday. Instead, the news office telephones are now ringing nonstop. Late morning Wednesday found Beck cradling her head in her hands as she politely informed another news reporter that the Reeve family did not want to be interviewed.
Beck said the hospital is accustomed to high-profile patients. But not like this.
``Are we at war with Bosnia yet?'' Beck asked, with a wry grin. ``I haven't had time to focus on anything but this.''
The University of Virginia Medical Center has a hot line with updates on Christopher Reeve's condition. The public is invited to call (804) 924-3777. MEMO: Reeve updates
The University of Virginia Medical Center has a hot line with updates on
the paralyzed actor's condition. The public is invited to call (804)
924-3777
Well-wishers also can write Reeve or his family at:
University of Virginia
Medical Center
Jefferson Park Avenue
Charlottesville, Va. 22908
Attn: Christopher Reeve
Or fax letters to 804-924-2451
ILLUSTRATION: Color photo by Beth Bergman
Medical Center spokeswoman Marguerite K. Beck feels the pressure of
the media coverage since Christopher Reeve was admitted May 27.
Color file photo
Doctors said Reeve's condition has improved since Monday's surgery.
by CNB